Saints' defense shows Drew Brees isn't one-man show

Nov. 18, 2013
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New Orleans Saints defensive end Akiem Hicks (76) reacts after a sack against San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (not pictured) during the second quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. / Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports

by Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY Sports

by Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY Sports

A week after assaulting the NFL record book in a blowout win, the New Orleans Saints turned on the noise at the raucous Superdome with their defense.

Sure, the Saints won with Drew Brees directing another game-winning drive in crunch time and embattled kicker Garrett Hartley booted three field goals -- including a 31-yarder as time expired -- to seal a 23-20 win against the San Francisco 49ers.

Yet the defense deserves the real curtain call.

The 49ers couldn't manage a single first down on two possessions that were club-sandwiched between the Hartley field goals.

Had the 49ers gained just one first down on either of their final two possessions, it might have been enough to swing the outcome of a tight game.

Poor Colin Kaepernick was chased and smacked by a relentless rush in crunch time. Frank Gore was bottled up. And suddenly, Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis were nowhere to be found.

After all of that offense drowned the Dallas Cowboys, the much-improved Saints defense led the way this time.

"We played pretty well last week, too," Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton told USA TODAY Sports. "Remember, they were 0-for-9 on third downs. I wouldn't say it's just the offense that's doing it."

True, the Saints didn't allow Dallas a third-down conversion.

But it was seemingly lost in the sauce, as the explosive offense racked up 625 yards and set an NFL record with 40 first downs against the Cowboys.

"I know," Lofton added, "offense is the calling card."

The Saints really needed their defense to come through in the clutch against the 49ers -- whose staunch D held the Sean Payton-Drew Brees offense to a mere 23 first downs.

Done. New Orleans allowed just 12 first downs and 196 yards, and kept its form after San Francisco scored 17 points off turnovers.

That's why complementary football was the word.

Roman Harper, the veteran safety, mentioned it. Brees mentioned it.

It means something. We know what Brees can do when he's clicking. Yet with the defense throwing down under new coordinator Rob Ryan and the rushing attack showing some pop (242 yards against Dallas), they are seemingly building a complete brand.

Last week, they won with offensive firepower.

This time, it was true grit.

"You're going to have days like this," said Brees, who passed for 305 yards, with a TD and an interception -- and had his streak of consecutive games with at least two TDs snapped at 21.

"We said coming in, 'We can't have turnovers.' And we have â?¦ three. Yet we found a way."

That included Payton playing it safe early in the fourth quarter. A week after aggressively pursuing the record for first downs by going for it on fourth down during garbage time of a blowout, Payton got conservative with a tight game in the win.

On third-and-goal from the 3, he called for a run that ended with Pierre Thomas stuffed for no gain.

Field goal.

Hey, he's no fool. He has to sense that his defense was up to the task of keeping the 49ers in check. At least that's how Harper processed it.

"Our defense was playing pretty good today," Harper said. "Sean's not going to just force things. Sean understands that. Sometimes, you just have to be patient."

This was a good sign when considering the real mission for the Saints (8-2), who have morphed back into a serious contender with Payton calling the shots again after serving a one-year suspension in 2012 because of the bounty scandal.

Complete teams have a better chance of winning in January â?¦ and February.

There's a lot more to prove.

I'm wondering whether the Saints can do this on the road -- and especially outdoors.

The last time they were outside, in Week 9, they were clobbered by the New York Jets at the Meadowlands.

They will get another stiff test in Seattle on Dec. 2, in a matchup that could determine which team gets the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Like the Saints, the Seahawks (9-1) are un beaten at home.

And if the Saints really go far with this thing, they would surely be advised to develop an all-weather team -- a complete team -- that can win anywhere.

After all, Super Bowl XLVIII will be played outdoors -- and the Saints hardly need to be reminded of what happened on their last trip to the Meadowlands.